A Deeper Look Into Bold Hair Colors
Image Courtesy: i-D
At the break of the 1900’s a French Chemist invented modern hair dye. Of course there was the most basic of colors: black, brown and blonde; but that’s not what we’re talking about here. We’re talking break your neck on the double take colors. We’re talking bold, bright and vibrant. It all started in the 70’s with the emergence of punk rock; giving mainstream society plenty to look at. In the 90’s the emergence of the infamous unicorn hair trend combined highlights with every color of the rainbow. Anyone who was brave enough to try it found themselves rocking the grungy-rave look. The look skyrocketed in popularity and still prevails. Judging from all the colors you see at festivals today, not much has changed.
There is no denying that bright colored hair is a public statement, but it’s also a personal transformation. It gives you a certain edge that natural color hair really just can’t do. It is a form of non-conformity. As long as you have the courage, you can sport it. At one point it was mainly women that embraced the look, but now guys are doing it too. Kanye West did it, Frank Ocean did it , Jaden Smith did it. Yet you don’t need to be a rocker or even a rapper to make the change, just someone with confidence. Don’t limit it to technicolor hair either. In the 70’s, Billy Idol debuted his unnatural white blond hair on stage. Today you can see any perfectly young person dying their hair a very similar icy gray.
When people dye their hair a daring color it is usually not their first or last time doing it. Sandra Song tells that her obsession started in a state of boredom. Taking it easy she went to a nice green color then to a vibrant green, think green-apple-martini-vomit green. Then she took on a deep blue, followed by all types of highlighter hues. Just a simple change in hair color can reinvent a person all over again. How fun is that?! Paired with different clothes, hats, accessories and eye make-up you could reinvent yourself all over again.
The real question is: what is it about this beauty phenomenon that has people bleaching their scalp and drenching it in any and every color on the wheel? Those who dye their hair often describe it as making them feel; new, rebellious and inspired. I went to our very own FSU campus to ask those non-conformists how their hair makes them feel. One girl said it makes her feel “epic”, the other one “fun” and the other said it makes her feel like “her real self.”
Bold hair colors were born in a time when anarchy and free expression ruled, but they are definitely not going anywhere anytime soon. Whether you’re becoming a personal embodiment of your favorite Van Gogh painting or rocking your favorite shade of pastel, express yourself unapologetically. The vibrant hair is here to stay, many believe it makes the world a much brighter place.
Strike Out,
Writer: Alessandra Cruz
Editor: Savannah Tindall
Tallahassee